>> welcome about a al jazeera, i'm stephanie sy. here are the top stories. japan is raising a red flag about a toxic water leak. it was upgraded to a level three series incident. this is the first time that japan has issued a warn about the reactors since a melt down from a tsunami two years ago. the white house said it has not made any final decisions about aid to egypt. 18 wildfires are burning across the country right now. the two in idaho are top

priority. for the first time german chancellor merkel visited the death camps, some criticize the trip calling it election politics. bradley manning find out how long he'll have to spend behind bars for leaking classified information. prosecutors have requested that he get at least 60 years. those are your headlines. consider this starts right now. you're watching al jazeera, i'm stephanie sy.

mission. >> there's more to america, more stories, more voices, more points of view. now there's are news channel with more of what americans want to know. >> i'm ali velshi and this is "real money." this is "america tonight." sglovrjs our -- >> our news coverage reveal more of america's stories. hi, my name is jonathan betz, and i'm from dallas, texas, and i'm an anchor for al jazeera america. i started in a small television station in rural arkansas. it's a part of the country that often gets overlooked. but there are a lot of fascinating people there, a lot of fascinating stories there. i like that al jazeera will pay attention to those kinds of places. what drew me to journalism is i

like the idea that we are documenting history. al jazeera documents it like none other. and to be a journalist, and to be part of a team like that? that's an incredible blessing. what happens when social media uncovers unheard, fascinating news stories? >>they share it on the stream. >>social media isn't an afterthought. it drives discussion across america. >>al jazeera america social media community, on tv and online. >>this is your outlet for those conversations.

>>post, upload, and interact. >>every night, share undiscovered stories. my name is ranjani chakraborty, i'm from houston, texas, and i'm an associate producer for america tonight. i grew up in a very large, loud indian family. they very much taught me how to have a voice, and from a very young age i loved writing, and i love being able to tell other people stories. the way to do good journalism is to really do your research, to know your story, to get the facts right, and to get to know the people involved in your story. america tonight and al jazeera america, it's a perfect place for that to happen. the hole the box, the shoe, but whatever it's called, although it's a place you don't want to go.

>> you will do the hardest time there is. i will pull you one bump and cast you down. >> we will take a closer look at why more than 8 thourb 8,000 inmates find themselves. she tease po*ter of john martinez who was convicted for second degree murder and spent 12 years in solitary confinement in california. richard mcnamara served for 18 years in the security housing unit. my thanks to all of you. delores, i want to start with you, you have been on the security housing units far very long time. it's very angry about what's going on in california and with your son. >> well, in the state of

california to end up in solitary confinement they don't have to have actual rules violation report. it's more based on who oh you are, who we think you might do. the problem is a lot of it is in statements who nobody knows who these prisoners are. i did hear earlier on where they describe pelican bay is having -- where this is new as they reported to go see. they're taken in to another cell for that out side activity and taken there alone. and so very few men are double bumped and for the most part they are single celled. >> what kind of changes -- is it effected experience. >> my son. he does study.

we are able to send him correspondence courses to continue his education. there are thousands of prisoners who do not have this. even with this opportunity that he has, he had in letters saying that he had to no doubts placed suicide. >> i don't mean to be harsh, but your son was convicted for murder and what do you say to the people who murder people need to be separated and many from general prison population and from the guards for everybody's safety? >> well, first oh of all, i'd like to say that anyone who has been a victim of crime. i don't mean to disregard their pain. i don't want to disregard anyone suffering. i think that's the hardest part about being involved. advocacy is remembering the victim and remembering what somebody has been through. in the state of california you

don't need to be the prerp the purpose crime. >> i want to talk what you just said a minute ago. the california department of corrections has the conditions of the son's unit and call the "sho" unit. it's what you were describing and what other solitary as richard said doesn't exhibit. >> they also get out to showers. they are out to visiting. they go to the law library. they have other activities. they're not just sitting there doing nothing. >> she says it. >> exactly. well, the truth is, as we go to yards, as they go to law library and to counseloring. they are allowed out of their

cell in to a common area shared with other cells. in that period they can look face-to-face to inmates. because human contact is important and so then they talk to one another and they can also do when they're in their cell although they can't see them. so, they do have interaction with one another and with all the other staff. they're not that isolated. some call out between them. they talk about the football game. they are all watching in common. there's more action . if you haven't seen it, it's hard to understand. they're not as isolated as we think they are. >> there is human

contact . they're locked in their cells 24 hours a day. >> in the prison, most suicide happen in cells. they happen to people living a life alone. that should speak volumes to you about making people live alone. and so that the situation that you just described and in california. you're talking about keeping people like that for twenty-some years. in louisiana they hold a record for guys how many -- >> what do you say to that? well, i don't believe in extended the solitary confinement, either.

my point is that's not the situation in california. >> the harsher cases -- >> in the way in some of the country. >> i haven't seen that physically myself. i u would say that solitary is torture. i don't know for a fact that's what's happening in america. >> we have some -- >> take me, making somebody live in a small confines of a space that isn't larger than a car parking space or small bathroom, that's torture. try it for 12 years. >> we have coming in from our viewers -- go ahead.

>> the individuals locked in those cells at pelican bay allowed interaction with other people would create a murder rate for can killing themselves they can kill other people. people. >> go ahead, delores. >> if i can say something really quick. what is the most resent example, mr. aguillar spent 17 years in solitary confinement in the pelican bay state prison and he qualified for release under prop 36. they were asking to show them why they have had him in there for 17 years and on video where the judge literally says i cannot find anything to to keep this man in custody. and, they are not, they are in a cell and they are attempting to describe it. it's a windowless cement cell with dime-size holes. the housing unit which they have been building in california

the. it's just a metal door. if you would like to go to dr. patterson's 354 page report what has been taken place in california prisons that have confinement. >> certainly a higher rate for people who were not. >> richard wants to know, is the process that authorities go through before placing an inmate in solitary and what level of proof do they need to have that poses danger especially in cases where the inmates are believeed to have gang relation? >> that's a very good question. there's quite an extent process. the gang unit always is working to view members who are ready to debrief and get out of the lifestyle. a good deal of information comes from those people. we also watch the mail and we

listen to conversations. that information is combined with tattoos and their behavior if they're on a main line yard if they get involved in violent incidents. we use the security cameras to see who they were interacting with during and prior and incidents. they have an extensive process. and in fact, the majority in solitary confinement are there because we have so few cells for solitary confinement. knowing a gang affiliation is really not that difficult to process but to get enough pieces of information together and put effort. >> delores? that. that's the reasoning for this hunger strike. nowhere in these prisoners

demands are they even offered immediate solitary confinement. so that the gang leaders want to go out and run these yards. >> but, delores they have asked for limited time in con solitary confinement. they are not asked to be released. they're asked for limited time. >> this is no comparison for 30 years. what they're asking for is fair due process because of the reasoning for placement. they will use other prisoners being held in solitary confinement. so, here you have this prisoner in solitary confinement who you are allegeing is the worst oh of the worse. but they stay other prisoner now they are to be -- they use things like other prisoner statements -rb drawing, tattoos and as the retired officer was saying incoming mail. i've had mail returned to me signed is off by the captain that i was promoting gang activity which i was not.

so, i contacted everybody that i needed to contact and everything taking on safer. you're out here and you don't do that, that -- if you're out here and you have absolutely no idea, you get this letter and you're not understanding why it's.ing rejected. it happens far too often. >> he asked that all these issues be taken in to consideration. the last word to you delores. what do you think will happen? >> with my son? well, we're very hopeful as always. years. i would like to say a last word to the officers statements. under federal law, under government law they are protected from being houseed in solitary even though resent events can hear one another or interact with one other, they say it's debt mental to their

mental and physical health to be in one themselves. >> it's a very controversial studies on it. it's shown just how damaging it is to that. >> it's their define them as a social creature. i'm wondering would the officer define these people as a social creature or a human being? >> he has. he said it's important. i will have to leave the argument there. delores, wilpert, richard i appreciate you for joining us tonight. we will follow this story. up next, why a penny saved could mean a partner earned. al jazeera america - a new voice in american journalism - >>introduces america tonight. >>in egypt, police fired teargas at supporters of the ... >>a fresh take on the stories that connect to you.

[[voiceover]] they risk never returning to the united states. >>grounded. >>real. >>unconventional. [[voiceover]] we spent time with some members of the gangster disciples. >>an escape from the expected. >>i'm a cancer survivor. not only cancer, but brain cancer.

content while setting new

nt, consider this including our data, we will challenge notions. conventional wisdom is woman who don't like guys who are cheap. 26% adults used a coupon on a first date. they said if their date used a coupon they would go out again. we were skeptical of those numbers and not just because he was behind the poll. we dug further that "new york times" that a match of t* e

eharmony said they are more likely to go if they are saver than a spender. even tide to a credit score or date my credit score.com. i know yo you're thinking a guy went from george of the jungle. maybe not. researchers at the university of michigan titleed a penny saved is a partner earned. the romantic deal of serveers. people who chronically save often in ranges of 25% higher. those polls felt that savings showed greater self control and ways. but we should note the one area and hire and excitement and assure bad boys are more thrilling. the difference between the one you date and the one you marry.

so, guys, maybe you have to be more like scroodge on that one you want to settle down one. >> the leaks get personal for a journal in the middle of the scandal. my name is jonathan betz. i'm from dallas, texas, and i'm an anchor for al jazeera america. >>my name is ranjani chakraborty, i'm from houston, texas. >>i'm kim bondy. >>nicole deford. >>and i'm from new orleans. >>san francisco, california. when i was a little kid, i just really loved the news. >>news was always important in my family. >>i knew as a kid that was exactly what i wanted to do. >>i learned to read by reading the newspaper with my great-grandfather every morning. >>and i love being able to tell other people stories. >>this is it, i want to be a part of this. >>this is what really drove me to al jazeera america.

mission. >> there's more to america, more stories, more voices, more points of view. now there's are news channel with more of what americans want to know. >> i'm ali velshi and this is "real money." this is "america tonight." sglovrjs our -- >> our news coverage reveal more of america's stories. what happens when social media uncovers unheard, fascinating

news stories? >>they share it on the stream. >>social media isn't an afterthought. it drives discussion across america. >>al jazeera america social media community, on tv and online. >>this is your outlet for those conversations. >>post, upload, and interact. >>every night, share undiscovered stories. it's maneuver by the british government. they have been up front that this material has arguely been spread farther and been secured and on many people's computers. this accomplish what they wanted to do. it struck me more of a symbolic measure than anything else.

>> has the obama administration been overly aggressive in your opinion in bringing the leaks and the press reports and the reporters who are using their sources and putting this information out? >> well, i think this edward snowden case is the latest example of the obama leakers. they are far more aggressively than the administration before it. there's been 7 prosecutions now for leakers to the press. it basically -- there was only three cases. part of the reason is because journalists leave it digital now. when you talk about methods. it should be standard practice

by most the journalists. the government has many ways to get at your communications and your data and you can get news out to oh the american public. then these are the basic steps to take. >> what do you say to that? it is true as twice as many whistle blowers as any other president. they have been very high profileed. the associated press loses james and james risen has that issue with sources there. you think it's a crack down that this government is really trying to keep secrets in way that's a real assault or a threat? >> actually, i think both the "new york times "and the "wall street journal" talked about president obama whistle blower in prosecutions, i believe half of them, forget about 7 of them that have been on going. before. we look at what happened, the

breech of their e-mail systems. none of them were tried for a crime. the same thing with james rosen, he was never dieted with any crime. he never committed one. so, again, i think it's important not to inflate issues. the so-called whistle blowers breaking the law to hand out sensitive or classified information to reporters then there are the reporters themselves. no reporter has ever been called for espionage for publishing national security secrets. their sources are certainly at a risk. >> he has been praised as a whistleblower and also a u.s. soldier who made secret documents public. matt, didn't the army have to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law? >> i think federal government has a lot of options in you have a case like this.

are you ifing to charge someone with treason. that's something that the tribunal rejected. they are guilty on other kinds of counts. prosecutors have disgression. this will not be solved easily by congress it doesn't matter what the united states does alone does. we can see this has become an thatal issue when you have country likes britain, ecuador and others get involved and in a leak case like snowden and like russia and china. i think for reporters, the thing we should try oh on is you want prosecutors to have good judgment. have a sense to -- it's an indictment and even tphreuft and even flirt with

the idea of committing a crime. it was clearly an over reach. i think the attorney general act tphroepbls aactknow hrepbls as . i hope they will here. >> yothank you for joining us on connecticut consider this tonight. up the bypass screen to the big

al jazeera america - a new voice in american journalism - >>introduces america tonight. >>in egypt, police fired teargas at supporters of the ... >>a fresh take on the stories that connect to you. [[voiceover]] they risk never returning to the united states. >>grounded. >>real. >>unconventional. [[voiceover]] we spent time with some members of the gangster disciples. >>an escape from the expected.

>>i'm a cancer survivor. not only cancer, but brain cancer.

this is the 900-page document we call obamacare. it could change costs, coverage, and pretty much all of healthcare in america. my show sorts this all out. in fact, my staff has read the entire thing. which is probably more than what most members of congress can claim. we'll separate politics from policy, and just prescribe the facts. content while setting new standards in journalism. >> a new voice of journalism in the u.s., al jazeera america. america. >> we tell the human store ri from around the block, across the country. >> if joe can't find work, his family will go from living in a

hotel to living in their car. >> connected, inspired, bold. half of u.s. households have one apple product. last week -- in september we're gearing up to see the release of two possible items. with all the interest around this week the featured film release about steve jobs. here's a scene from the movie. >> it's a social status. it's more than that it's social currency. we need to raise the bar. we risk everything.

>> joining me to discuss of all things about steve jobs via skype from california. he was the writer and presented from the documentary steve jobs. also joining us here in the studio. thank you both for being here. apple sold over 600 million ios device and 575 million i tune accounts and half of u.s. households have release an apple prooh duct. coca-cola, proctor an proctor ae but we care more about steve ceos. >> i think because he embodies his company. his products. he's long gone now and the idea that apple products could be simple and easy to use and could

sort of relate to the user in a way that previous products didn't. we look at ipod compared to -- it was that much better. >> you knew steve jobs. do you think the movie was soulless? >> the problem with the movie. the movie is very pretty. ashton kutcher does a job of looking like steve jobs. but he does a good of imitating without us coming away with anything greater than john madden. the problem here is it's an imitation rather than a true character. we see there's some growth with apple but we don't know whether it's -- >> now, you alison have said, you written that you didn't know as much as steve jobs and your different. >> slightly different. i think robert and i do agree that this is not a film -- it's something that's so upset about

microsoft products is they have no sti spiritualty it doesn't pop. it doesn't excite. i think we agree that ashton kutcher did a good job, or maybe we don't agree, he did a good job of capturing steve jobs. i haven't worked on a documentary but really excited the to see the beginnings of apple. the first hour of the movie i thought were very, very entertaining. a bunch of together literally in someone's garage and saundering biting of wire together. it was fascinateing to see that growth. brilliantly. >> really, robert, i think this is one of the things that bothered, you too, it misses a crucial part in job's life where it skips

the between apple went mentioned. that's the way we watch movie, the way we use personal computers at home. he changed so much of our lives and much of the time between leaving and going back to apple which, think you described it between the time you went from disappeared. >> right, years in there that is versed in one minute in the movie. it's during that where steve had to learn how to become a manager t become an executive, how to actually inspire people and relate to them. having to fire them. and, having something to do with growing carrots in his garden but beyond that, there's no real explanation. i can only imagine because they don't know. >> we have a question coming in from viewers.

>> antonio, robert on twitter, meredith lane asks, am i the only one to think it's too soon about a movie about steve jobs. how would you respond to that? >> well, as a guy, as steve job's documentary in the month after steve died, i would say it may. too for a dramatazation in terms of releasing a film of steve being steve i described. but there's another one coming out next year. out. a lot of expectations about that one, alison. >> yes, because he wrote and wrote an oscar for the "social network" it's a very different approach it's going to take three episodes in job's career and dramatize those and basically three scenes that's

one. >> will that last scene be his death? >> no, no, no. it's the ipod and maybe the products. movie. >> no film reality. so the film makers picked a period in his life. that may appear strange to us. we heard from his personal life. it picked a time which was apple's initial growth. something. >> no. >> i had to ask you a question about that. go ahead and say something. >> it's kind of a shallow film. it's exploitive but it doesn't beat us over the head. it's a little film. i think, however, as a documentarian, get it right.

jazeera.com. >> hello, i'm stephanie sy, it is wednesday, august 21st, and these are some of the stories we're following this hour. firefighters are being pushed to the limit. fires are burning across the west, the cost of battling the flames has topped $1 billion. and its sentencing day for bradley manning, he could spend decades in prison for stealing classified documents. the leak at japan's fukushima plant is worse than originally described. it's raising it's warning about

the severity of